Leicester, a community nestled among rolling hills against a breathtaking Blue Ridge backdrop, sits 10 miles northwest of Asheville in Buncombe County. To spend time in Leicester is to discover the perfect balance of natural beauty, exciting annual events, and popular amenities, all within easy driving distance. Leicester’s ideal location puts it mere minutes from West Asheville, Downtown Asheville, Weaverville and Woodfin.

The area features a range of home styles – everything from rustic ranches to green builds to maintenance-free condominiums. Or you can find your perfect parcel of land to create the home of your dreams from scratch.

Leicester’s Beginnings

In 1829, a post office opened in the area, originally called Turkey Creek. Frontiersman Leicester Chapman purchased a tract of land in the area from the city of Asheville, becoming the postmaster in 1852. Seven years later, Chapman renamed the area Leicester for the Earl of Leicester, also his namesake.

New Leicester Highway serves as a main commercial corridor for the community, featuring a range of restaurants, grocery chains, and retail stores. If you’re looking to get away and immerse completely in the outdoors, the Great Smoky Mountains are a little over an hour’s drive. A favorite destination from Leicester is Max Patch in Pisgah National Forest, an Appalachian “bald” and one of the Appalachian Trail’s most popular hikes.

Leicester Area Activities

Leicester is brimming with annual events and seasonal fests to keep residents and visitors entertained year-round. Following, a few favorites:

· Asheville Barnaroo – Started in 2009 and held every fall at Franny’s Farm, this popular festival features non-stop music over 38 acres for three days. It aims to showcase, promote and celebrate local and regional singer-songwriters and bands in rock, folk, Americana, bluegrass and funk. The fest offers optional camping; concertgoers can enjoy local beer from Hi-Wire, local food from Farm to Fender food truck, and talented regional crafts and artists.

· Come to Leicester Studio Tour – This annual art studio tour, held in August, showcases Leicester’s local talent and builds awareness of its vibrant arts community. The free, self-guided tour of more than 23 studios and shops offers the opportunity to see artists at work, and to purchase pieces. A detailed tour map is available at every tour stop.

· Addison Farms Vineyard – This family-owned and -operated vineyard, winery and tasting room is situated on 55 pristine, rolling acres, land that has been in the family for four generations. The tasting room is open year-round; Addison also offers a Winemaker’s Tour & Tasting for a personal, behind-the-scenes experience.

· Noble Cider Taproom – Located on New Leicester Highway, Noble Cider – Asheville’s first hard cider company – offers visitors the opportunity to watch raw apples arriving for pressing, fresh apple juice being pumped into tanks to be fermented, or the finished product being put into kegs or bottles. Noble’s 20 taps feature an eclectic range of crisp and creative hard ciders. Open Wednesday-Sunday.

For a personally guided tour of Leicester, or for more information on real estate here or anywhere in the Asheville area, please contact Mike Figura at Mike@MyMosaicRealty.com or call him anytime at (828) 337-8190.